If you were out on the roads Tuesday, around nightfall, you had quite an experience.
Within minutes, wet roads turned into icy roads and few people were prepared for it.
We talked to an expert about safely driving on slick roads.
Major Driving School owner, Byron Major, says "It was crazy."
The driving instructor cancelled an hour of instruction Tuesday night because the roads were so icy.
Major says, "We saw a semi truck jackknife on I-475. We saw another car almost hit another car."
He says, on icy roads, the best tip is to slow down. Next, increase your distance from the vehicle in front of you.
On dry roads, your following distance should be around 3 seconds, but on icy roads your distance should be 4 to 6 seconds.
Major says, "You need to slow down before it gets icy. Don't wait until you hit an ice patch or you'll see other cars in the ditch."
If your vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes, gradually press down on the brake pedal to slow down and stop.
"Most manufacturers suggest to hold the brake down and as you hold the brake down, the ABS kicks in. The computer does it for you," Major says.
If you have traditional brakes, you can pump them to get the safe effect.
One of the most important factors is the weather itself and its affect on the road conditions, which are changing all the time. On Tuesday, before 4:30PM, the roads were wet, but not frozen. Between 4:30PM and 6:00PM, they were sheets of ice, but by 8:00PM the salt had melted the roads and dried them out.
Newer tires can help you with traction and always consider if it's wise to go out driving in the first place.
